Investigators said an on-going audit at the credit union uncovered some discrepancies on Monday, Jan. 4, at which time LaJoice said he needed to leave and that he'd come back with information that would clear up any issues.

Police said LaJoice never returned.

Instead, he walked into the Oakland County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, Jan. 6, and admitted to the embezzlement.

LaJoice has been the CFO at the credit union since 2003, according to his Linkedin profile. He has a bachelor's degree from Baker College and is a graduate of Linden High School.

Attorney Michael Manley said he is representing LaJoice and plans to do his own investigation.

"I know he walked in and made statements, but we want to make sure the statements attributed to him are in fact true," Manley told The Flint Journal on Monday, Jan. 11. "We are going to vigorously defend him. There has to be due process. There has to be tempered justice. If mistakes were made, we also want to be part of the solution to those who may have been victimized."

Police have searched LaJoice's home -- which has an estimated value of $1.3 million according to zilow.com -- and Chasse Ballroom and Latin Dance Studio.

Investigators also searched offices in the Fenton Regional Chamber of Commerce where LaJoice Enterprises had offices, but did not find anything connected to the embezzlement, according to Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe.

"There is a large volume of information that we have to go through," McCabe said.

The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office also is assisting in the investigation.

Work on the $31 million project was to include a two-story restaurant with a dueling piano bar, a fresh market, 53 condominiums, a parking structure and retail space along the Shiawassee River.

Manley said he plans to ask for a reduction of LaJoice's $1 million bond at LaJoice's next court appearance on Jan. 20.

"His assets are frozen," Manley said. "We do plan on making a bond reduction motion."

LaJoice's bond was set at $1 million, despite a prosecutor's request for a $20 million bond.

Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Robert Hovy asked for a $20 million bond and said LaJoice was a flight risk.

Hovy said LaJoice's home was lavish and featured a home theater and high-end appliances.

"He said he spent $4.5 million on his house and he never had a mortgage on it," McCabe said.

The dance studio was still closed on Monday, Jan. 11 and the sign promoting LaJoice's Caroline Street development had been removed.

"Everything is on hold at this point," Manley said of LaJoice's business operations. "Chasse Ballroom has suspended operations until the investigation is complete. I don't anticipate any other projects moving forward."

There are a few Genesee County businesses that have stepped up to offer Chasse customers a place to get some exercise in.